Wanadoo 'flattered' by BT copycat move

Dear Ben...

Wanadoo has written to BT chief exec Ben Verwaayen poking fun at the company's decision to double the speed of its entry-level broadband service just hours after Wanadoo UK announced a similar offer.

In an advert placed in The Sunday Telegraph yesterday, Wanadoo - the ISP that used to be called Freeserve and is set to be renamed Orange - said it was "flattered" by BT's decision to follow "Wanadoo's lead in making 2 Meg its standard broadband offer for customers".

Said the "Dear Ben" letter: "We don't blame you for trying to emulate the great deals we give ? but let's be honest, our customers are still going to be a lot better off than yours".

And in a dig at BT's position as both a wholesale and retail supplier of broadband the letter says: "OK, we may have to charge £20 to upgrade an existing customer to 2 Meg - but you know why that is don't you? Yes, it's because you folks at BT charge us to do it. Still, local loop unbundling will sort that issue out won't it?

"But even with that regrade charge, our customers end up saving more and getting a lot more than yours do," said the letter before signing off as "Your friends at Wanadoo".

Asked to comment a spokesman for the BT told us: "We've noted the ad but don't want to comment at this stage." ®